The National Assembly has raised budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Works from N657.3 billion in the proposed budget to N1.03 trillion. This represents N373 billion or 56.7 per cent increase from the initial figure in the appropriation bill. It also represents a 65.4 per cent increase from the amount approved in the 2023 budget. The ministry is responsible for …

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), yesterday, urged the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas, to reduce the National Assembly budget of N344.85 billion to reflect the current economic realities in the country, and cut the cost of governance. SERAP urged them “to request President Bola Tinubu to present a fresh …

The House of Representatives has announced an extension of its ongoing recess, with the resumption of Senate and House now slated for Tuesday, 30 January 2024. According to a statement in Abuja, the House spokesman and Chairman of House Committee on Media & Public Affairs, Akin Rotimi, the announcement follows a communication by the Clerk of the House of Representatives, …

The first interim National chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande has urged the National Assembly to dump the 1999 constitution and embrace 1960. Akande while responding to questions from newsmen on Saturday ahead of his 85th birthday ceremony held that to give nod to restructuring of the country does not require …

Lawmakers have budgeted an additional N30 billion for the renovation of the National Assembly Complex in the 2024 Appropriation Bill. The N30 billion earmarked for the renovation of the building was part of the N344.85 billion budgeted for the National Assembly after they raised their allocations from N197.93 billion. The N344.85 billion, signed by President Bola Tinubu on 1 January, …

House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas has said the National Assembly will pass the 2024 budget on Saturday, 30 December. Abbas spoke when the House resumed plenary yesterday in Abuja. The Speaker passed a message from the Committee on Appropriation to various committees of the House that they must conclude and submit their reports of the budget defence by agencies …

The Joint National Assembly Committee on Appropriations yesterday gave the standing committees in both chambers a 48-hour ultimatum to submit their reports on the 2024 budget. The chairman of the joint committee, Senator Solomon Adeola, issued the order. He said the move became necessary to enable the National Assembly pass the N27.5 trillion 2024 budget before the end of this …

National Assembly has threatened to sanction the ministers of state for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, and (Gas) Ekperikpe Ekpo for failing to appear before it for the 2024 budget defence. The joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Petroleum Resources issued the threat when it convened for the budget defence but the ministers did not turn up. The …

As commentators on Nigerian affairs, there are situations and circumstances where  writers, out of niggling frustrations and hapless impotence, wish for something tragically severe, akin to a hot sharp knife skinning the hides off fat lambs, would descend on the irresponsible and insensitive portion of our governing blocs – especially the legislative mandarins. With tons of critical written pieces, brimming with …

The Conservator-General  of the National Park Service, Dr. Ibrahim Goni, on Monday said the National Assembly had given the approval for the operation of 10 new national parks in the country. At the decoration ceremony of seven officers in the service in Abuja, Goni said: “It is gratifying to mention that the Service has recently received the concurrence of the National …